Chapter Text
Each morning seemed surreal.
Euphoria rained over the small family that lived on the opulent yet quaint villa on the hill. The royal family of Alderaa was reunited and happiness blanketed over them. Ben, Lord Alderaa, was said to have been a prisoner of war who was finally able to escape, so it was obvious to most of the residents he would be tentative in going out and mingling amongst the population. You had a similar experience when you first arrived, but it was different with a curious toddler.
But in time, it was discovered he was a quiet man who adored his wife and cherished his daughters, however, his way with words swirled and bent on countless pages that became treasured books about adventure, conflict, love, and loss. Among his many beloved stories were paintings of places many couldn’t even imagine. Lord Alderaa was a man of many talents, but his greatest accomplishment was his family.
Ben thanked the makers every day for Y/N.
You were the spark that lit the fire of his revelation; he wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for you. He never imagined this life could be possible, the night that they reunited he held them and watched the rise and fall of their chest.
Even after finding his way back to the light, defeating Darth Sidious, and atoning for his sins, this wasn’t promised to Ben. He felt when you and Antheia’s force disappeared and although he didn’t want to believe it, it was a possibility that they were gone. Getting himself together was what he owed you, Y/N had shown him nothing but kindness and respect, even with him being the person he once was.
It took some time for everyone to get acclimated with each other, but soon the family of four was settling into their roles and little routine. You were very much the captain of the ship, with your soft power, and Ben was ever the protector for all the women in his life. He’d find every moment to make up for the lost time and restrictions with you. Ben also caught up with Antheia and was amazed at how much she had grown in the years he was away. He couldn’t believe his Little Flower was growing into a little lady; and then there was Padmé, it was now time to get to know his daughter. Ben wished that he could’ve had the same experience with Padmé as he did with Antheia, but he couldn’t fret about that, he was going to make sure that she would never know what it was like to not have him or his love in her life.
Not Padmé, not Antheia, not Y/N.
They had their weekend trips to the lake, visited other planets when they could. Sometimes Leia and Han would visit and watch the girls so you two could spend time together. There would also be times where it was just him and the girls, it usually meant doing hair or him acting silly, but he loved every moment of it.
Antheia was very much a daddy’s girl, no matter what had happened their bond was just unbreakable, and just like before the two were in sync. Antheia and Ben enjoyed being out in the garden and, as always, loved drawing. He took her to many museums, she helped with plenty of paintings, and he enjoyed sharing those relaxing moments with her.
Because she was still young, Padmé was always under you, but she did love her father. Like Antheia, Padmé and Ben did share an unbreakable bond and as she got older it helped them grow closer. It was very evident from early on that she was strong with the force, and he was fearful of history repeating itself. With your unwavering support and reassurance, little by little Ben began to teach and help Padmé understand the ways of the force and never wanted her to feel any pressure or guilt like he did as a child.
Ben walked down the hall before he came to a halt. Padmé’s little voice could be heard as she told her sister what had happened. Peering in, he saw the now three-year-old sitting at their tea table in their playroom with folded arms as Antheia continued to draw.
“Well, you know if you want something to ask Mommy.” Antheia put her crayon down and gave her little sister a serious look. “But if you really want something, you ask Daddy.”
Shocked and offended, Ben made his way to you, who sat on the balcony of their bedroom.
“Let me tell you what I overheard our daughters say.”
It still warmed your heart thinking of how much of a family man he became.
“Antheia told Padmé ‘if you really want something, to ask me’!” He exclaimed expecting you to be shocked but you huffed in amusement.
“Padmé is mad because I told her no more tarts.”
“Are you not surprised?” Ben asked genuinely.
“Should I be? I mean…” you began to chuckle turning toward your husband.
His hair was a little past his shoulder with gray beginning to peak and his beard was full and trim with a few more beauty marks dusting his face.
“It’s because I’m outnumbered.”
“You’re outnumbered?” Y/N huffed once more.
“Yes, I think it’s time for a boy.”
“You can say it but doesn’t mean that will happen.”
“Well, you know...we can practice.” A blush spread throughout his face as he sent you a flirtatious smile. So Han.
“We can practice doesn’t mean that will happen.”
“They do say practice makes perfect.”
The force gently caressed your neck and then moved down to your shoulders. Rolling your eyes, Y/N shrugged it off.
“Then if we have a boy, I’ll be outnumbered.” Mahogany eyes held confusion at your words. “Then there will be three force users in the house. I do think Padmé got your reserved personality, but what if she grows up to be more like me and we have Antheia 2.0. Could you imagine Antheia with the force?”
His eyes widened and you chuckled.
“Antheia would probably be able to rule the galaxy.” You joked.
“She’d do a helluva lot better than I did!”
The two began to laugh as your head fell back in laughter. Ben watched on in amazement; he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, what he was seeing, his surroundings, his life, his family, this was all real. He had succeeded in fulfilling what his grandfather started: having a family.